Thanks to the dominance of only a handful of goalkeepers over the years, the options between the sticks are inevitably limited, but that in itself is testament to how highly each was considered. And having made more than 350 appearances for the Magpies, despite having Steve Harper breathing down his neck, Irishman Shay Given is unquestionably the best ever to have played between the sticks in the Premier League. He might not have looked the most imposing, and his command of his box was often questionable, but there has never been a finer shot-stopper, or reader of the game between Newcastle's posts. He was the foundation for Sir Bobby Robson's returning entertainers, and pulled off some truly astonishing saves, including one flying stop to thwart Kevin Phillips that will remain in the memory of every fan who saw it. Such was his ability that when he left, it hurt and seeing him sitting on the bench at Man City was a betrayal of how well loved he has been at St' James' Park.
